MANAGED CARE ETHICS - AN EMERGENCY

The rapid expansion of cost-consciousness and managed care into the me dical marketplace has challenged the autonomy of physicians and patien ts. These challenges have taken a variety of forms, including limitati ons on reimbursement and restrictions on the amount and type of emerge ncy care patients may receive. Challenges aside, the economic agenda o f managed care must not threaten the primacy of patient welfare. The f idelity of the emergency physician-patient relationship and the integr ity of the medical profession hangs in the balance.